Update on Military dimension of the plan
Environment: The procedures of cooperation between civil and military unit are always improved. Enhancement process are rolling. Process are on-going on all three levels of ASM. Procedures are prescribed in line with ERNIP guidelines. Aim to use airspace as much effective as possible. Regular meetings on airspace usage planning with civil and military stakeholders are organised - as a result strategic possible de-confliction of military exercises and aviation sport events, which required airspace reservation. Information sharing significantly increased between civ-mil airspace planners preparing AIP SUP/NOTAMs. In 2020 ad-hoc reservation of airspace (TESA - Temporary established segregated airspace) rules were revised and aligned with latest guidance provided in ERNIP.
Analysis shown, that cooperation with airspace users (segrated airspace structure owners) improved on both pre-tactical and tactical level. RSAs used only when required (look parts of this report 2.2.2. F / G / H).
During COVID-19 times of videoconferences and coordination via emails was used, to boost pre-tactical airspace planning process.
Capacity: As shown below - actual use of CDRs are higher, that provided FPLs for their usage. It shows increased and enhanced cooperation between RSAs owners and AMC/ACC.
Military - related measures implemented or planned to improve environment and capacity
Environment: During 2020 preparation for implementation of LARA v.3.2 was executed. MIL established MIL part of AMC. Communication with civil AMC using LARA tool started in 2021. LARA v.3.2 starts its official operation from end of March 2021. Now LARA v.3.2 connected to the ATC system via FMTP. LARA v.3.2 connection to NM system via new-PENS using B2B ensured. In 2021 automated performance monitoring tool PRISMIL planned to be implemented. At the moment Lithuania using it’s own monitoring and analysis tool (not automated).
Capacity: It is foreseen, that usage of LARA v.3.2 (operational from end of March 2021) connected to the ATC system should improve airspace planning and its tactical usage, which should improve capacity KPA. Most of airspace release from military side occurred during tactical phase and less then 3 hours before end of RSA use time, therefore messages on new flight execution possibilities were forwarded to aircrews via radio communication means, not using an ASM tools.
Initiatives implemented or planned to improve PI#6
SE “Oro navigacija” (ANSP of Lithuania, further - ON ) initiatives:
1. LARA version 3.2 implementation, which has a direct connection with the new ATC system iTEC (it helps to provide more effective ASM services). LARA v3.2. implemented in Lithuania as from end of March 2021;
2. Close cooperation with Lithuanian Military Air Force (LT MIL AF) responsible unit - staff from ON supported LARA version 3.2 implementation at LT MIL AF and the initiative was extremely successful - responsible unit started to use LARA and the data is provided into system directly from LT MIL AF. It guarantees effectiveness of ASM provision and pre-tactical possible de-confliction on MIL side;
3. ON staff are constantly improving the provision and effectiveness of ASM by analysing tendencies and trends. On of the streams are usage of ad-hoc areas (Temporary Established Segregated Area - TESA) monitoring. After execution of analysis some of TESA’s, which are relevant and mostly popular amongst the airspace users, are converted into permanently established segregated airspaces (e.g. TSAs). From other side, those RSAs, which used rarely or non-used, process for their decommissioning initiated.
4. ON staff are analysing the data about usage of RSAs every quarter of the year (using local procedures and tool, which are aligned with FUA requirements), that helps to know how the design, planning, allocation and usage procedures / processes could be improved to ensure effectiveness of services and airspace availability to all interested parties. The latest important refinement was a EYTSA7 area conversion into a modular ones (divided into three separate zones EYTSA7 A/ EYTSA7B/ EYTSA7C). It ensures efficient airspace allocation and usage for all stakeholders.
Initiatives implemented or planned to improve PI#7
The information on CDR usage was provided by NM. Data in line “Number of aircraft that could have planned through those airspace structures” is the real number of aircraft flying through the CDRs. The number of real flights is bigger, because, when RSA was tactically released airplanes were directed through the optimum route (means re-opened CDRs).
SE “Oro navigacija” (ANSP of Lithuania, further - ON )initiatives:
1. LARA version 3.2 implementation, which has a direct connection with new ATC system iTEC (it helps to provide more effective ASM services). LARA v3.2. implemented in Lithuania as from end of March 2021;
2. Close cooperation with Lithuanian Military Air Force (LT MIL AF) responsible unit - staffs from ON supported LARA version 3.2 implementation at LT MIL AF and the initiative was extremely successful - responsible unit started to use LARA and the data is provided into system directly from LT MIL AF. It guarantees effectiveness of ASM provision and pre-tactical possible de-confliction on MIL side;
3. ON staff are constantly improving the provision and effectiveness of ASM by analysing tendencies and trends. One of the streams are usage of ad-hoc areas (Temporary Established Segregated Area - TESA) monitoring. After execution of analysis some of TESA’s, which are relevant and mostly popular amongst the airspace users, are converted into permanently established segregated airspaces (e.g. TSAs). From other side, those RSAs, which used rarely or non-used, process for their decommissioning initiated.
4. ON staff are analysing the data about usage of RSAs every quarter of the year (using local procedures and tool, which are aligned with FUA requirements), that helps to know how the design, planning, allocation and usage procedures / processes could be improved to ensure effectiveness of services and airspace availability to all interested parties. The latest important refinement was a EYTSA7 area conversion into a modular ones (divided into three separate zones EYTSA7 A/ EYTSA7B/ EYTSA7C). It ensures efficient airspace allocation and usage for all stakeholders.
Initiatives implemented or planned to improve PI#8
At the moment in Lithuania we use practical procedures for crossing by civil aircraft of active RSAs only for TSA7B. Other active RSAs should be overflown. Number of airplanes passed through active TSA7B are quite low, because this TSA partially impacts some kind of approaches the Kaunas airport. Other information on initiatives and actions taken in due time provided above.